Chicken pox

At both 4 Street and Northwood Nursery we are experiencing cases of chicken pox.

Chicken pox will be common place at this time of the year within our local communities. We wanted to take the opportunity to remind all parents NOT to use an anti-inflammatory pain killer , like nurofen, to help reduce a temperature when your child has chicken pox.

Please see information below from the NHS website

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

Kind regards

Elaine Caffary

Nursery Manager

4 Street & Northwood Nurseries

Chickenpox is usually mild and can be treated at home. Most people feel better within a week or so.

There's no cure, but the treatments below can help relieve the symptoms while the body fights the infection.

It's also important to take steps to prevent chickenpox spreading, such as staying off work or school until the last blister has dried and crusted over.

Painkillers

Use paracetamol if you or your child have a high temperature (fever) and feel uncomfortable.

Paracetamol is safe for most people to take – including pregnant women and children over two months of age. Special liquid versions are available for young children and babies.

Don't use anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen, as they can sometimes make people with chickenpox very ill. Never give aspirin to a child under 16 as it can be dangerous for them.

Always read the packet or leaflet that comes with the medicine to check if it's suitable and how much to take. Speak to a pharmacist or your GP if you're unsure.

Prevent itching and scratching

Chickenpox can be very itchy, but it's important not to scratch the spots as it can increase the chances of the skin becoming infected with bacteria and could result in scarring.

It can help to:

keep nails short and clean

tap or pat the skin instead of scratching it

wear cotton gloves at night (or socks over hands)

bathe in cool or lukewarm water – dab or pat the skin dry afterwards, rather than rubbing it

wear loose, smooth cotton clothing

You can also buy calamine lotion, moisturising creams, cooling gels or an antihistamine medicine called chlorpheniramine to help reduce itching and soothe the skin.

Food and drink

It's important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Water is better than sugary, fizzy or acidic drinks – particularly if you or your child has chickenpox spots in the mouth.

Sugar-free ice lollies are also a good way of getting fluids into children and can help soothe a sore mouth.

Avoid sharp, hard, salty or spicy foods that may make the mouth sore. Soft, cool foods are best, such as soup that has been left to cool down.

If you breastfeed or bottle feed your baby, continue to give them feeds regularly.

Stronger treatments from a doctor

Antiviral medication or a treatment called immunoglobulin may be recommended if you're at risk of developing severe chickenpox.

Those at risk include:

pregnant women

adults, especially those who smoke

newborn babies under four weeks old

people with a weakened immune system (the body's defence system), such as people with HIV, those taking high doses of steroid medication and those having chemotherapy

Antiviral medication

An antiviral medicine called aciclovir may be recommended if you're at risk of severe chickenpox and you already have symptoms.

It ideally needs to be started within 24 hours of the rash appearing. It doesn't cure chickenpox, but makes the symptoms less severe.

It's normally taken as tablets five times a day for seven days.

Immunoglobulin

Immunoglobulin is a treatment given by injection that can help prevent severe chickenpox if you've been exposed to someone with the infection but don't have any symptoms yet.

It's sometimes given to pregnant women, people with a weakened immune system and newborn babies who've been exposed to the chickenpox virus and haven't had the infection before.